Invertible storage device

ABSTRACT

The claimed invention discloses a storage device capable of rapid and substantially full inversion, permitting the rapid and substantially complete removal of its contents. Such a storage device is useful when its contents must be quickly removed, including, for example, where the storage device contains equipment useful to an emergency responder such as a police officer, a firefighter, or a paramedic. Such a storage device is also useful where its contents are otherwise difficult to remove, as where the contents include liquids or many small objects, such as grains of sand.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The current application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/488,913 filed Jul. 21, 2003, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to storage devices and more particularly to a storage device capable of rapid and substantially full inversion, thereby releasing its contents.

(2) Related Art

Pockets and pocket-like storage devices have long been used as a method of transporting items. Generally, removal of the contents of a pocket requires a user to place his or her hand into the pocket, grasp the item or items, and remove the item or items from the pocket.

In many circumstances, such a method of removal is sufficient. However, an alternate method of removal is desirable when (1) removal of the item or items must be done quickly, (2) grasping an item or items would be difficult, and/or (3) complete removal of an item or items would be difficult or time consuming. Thus, a need exists for a storage device permitting the rapid and complete removal of its contents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The claimed invention discloses a storage device capable of rapid and substantially full inversion, permitting the rapid and substantially complete removal of its contents. Such a storage device is useful when its contents must be quickly removed, including, for example, where the storage device contains equipment useful to an emergency responder such as a police officer, a firefighter, or a paramedic. Such a storage device is also useful where its contents are otherwise difficult to remove, as where the contents include liquids or many small objects.

In a first embodiment, the claimed invention discloses a storage device comprising an outer container forming an exterior and an interior, an inner container having a first portion that is attached to the outer container and a second portion that is disposed on the interior, and an exterior inversion means that allows a user to invert the second portion of the inner container to reside substantially on the exterior.

In a second embodiment, the claimed invention discloses an apparatus comprising means for carrying the apparatus, a storage means comprising an outer container forming an exterior and an interior and an inner container having a first portion that is attached to the outer container and a second portion that is disposed in the interior, and an exterior inversion means that allows a user to invert the second portion of the inner container to reside substantially outside the outer container.

In a third embodiment, the claimed invention discloses a storage device comprising a member having a first side and a second side and an aperture between, a container having a first portion that is attached around the aperture on the first side of the member and a second portion that is unattached to the member, and an inversion means that allows a user from the second side to invert the second portion of the container, moving it from the first side of the member to the second side of the member.

The foregoing and other features of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an inverted storage device according to a first embodiment of the claimed invention.

FIG. 2 shows a closed storage device according to a second embodiment of the claimed invention.

FIGS. 3A-3C show the various conformations of a third embodiment of the claimed invention.

FIG. 4 shows a vest having two storage devices according to a fourth embodiment of the claimed invention.

FIG. 5 shows a storage device according to a fifth embodiment of the claimed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, storage device 1 comprises outer container 10, inner container 20, and inversion means 30. As depicted, inversion means 30 is an elongate member attached at one end to a surface of inner container 20. Preferably, where inversion means 30 is an elongate member, inversion means 30 is configured to extend beyond a surface of outer container 10 when inner container 20 is not inverted and residing within outer container 10. Optionally, where inversion means 30 is an elongate member, a handle 32 may be attached at or near an end opposite the end attached to a surface of inner container 20.

A first portion of inner container 20 is attached to an interior or exterior surface of outer container 10 while a second portion of inner container 20 is disposed adjacent an interior surface of outer container 20, such that the second portion of inner container 20 may be inverted by means of inversion means 30 and made to substantially reside adjacent an exterior surface of outer container 10, as shown in FIG. 1.

First portion of inner container 20 may be attached to a portion of outer container 10 and inversion means 30 may be attached to a portion of inner container 20 by any means known in the art. In one embodiment, such attachments are of sufficient strength as to permit inversion of inner container 20 without detachment of inner container 20 from outer container 10 or inversion means 30 from inner container 20. Suitable attachment means include stitching and adhesives.

Outer container 10, inner container 20, and inversion means 30 may be of any materials known in the art, including cotton, silk, wool, nylon, polyester, or rayon. In addition, outer container 10, inner container 20, and/or inversion means 30 may be of the same or different materials.

Handle 32 may be of any material known in the art, including wood, plastic, ceramic, or metal. In one embodiment, handle 32 is a rigid material. Where inversion means 30 is an elongate member, a portion of which extends beyond an edge of outer container 10, handle 32 preferably provides added weight to the elongate member, so as to locate inversion means 30 in an area outside of outer container 10 that is predictable by a user. For example, where storage device 1 is configured to be oriented in a substantially horizontal direction, handle 32 preferably provides sufficient weight to an end of inversion means 30 that a portion of inversion means 30 will normally be located below storage device 1. This orientation is depicted most clearly in FIG. 3A. Optionally, handle 32 may be a loop, knot, or similar structure formed in elongate member.

Referring to FIG. 2, storage device 100 is depicted in a closed position, wherein inner container (not shown) resides substantially within outer container 110. In one embodiment, a portion of inversion means 130, again depicted as an elongate member with handle 132, resides on the exterior of outer container 110.

In one embodiment, from its closed position, storage device 100 is preferably made to release its contents by a user grasping and pulling a portion of inversion means 130 in a direction away from the openings of outer container 110 and inner container. Upon such action, storage device 100 adopts a conformation similar to that depicted in FIG. 1, wherein inner container 20 is substantially inverted to reside outside outer container 10.

In one embodiment, storage device 100 may contain a lid 112 and attachment means 114. Attachment means 114 may be of any kind known in the art, including hooks-and-loops, snaps, etc., provided that attachment means 114 do not prevent or substantially interfere with inversion of inner container or the release of its contents. Attachment means 114 may be located on lid 112, outer container 110, or both.

Referring to FIGS. 3A through 3C, storage device 200 is depicted in the various conformations it will adopt in transitioning from its closed position (FIG. 3A) to its inverted position (FIG. 3C). As depicted in FIGS. 3A through 3C, storage device 200 is oriented in a substantially horizontal direction, as it may be oriented on an article of clothing or carrying means, such as a backpack. Storage device 200 may similarly be oriented in a substantially vertical direction, with an opening in outer container 210 facing either upward or downward.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, storage device 200 again consists of outer container 210, an inner container (not shown), and an inversion means 230. As depicted, inversion means 230 consists of an elongate member and handle 232, wherein a portion of elongate member extends beyond an edge of outer container 210. As depicted, storage device 200 further comprises a lid 212 and attachment means 214. Attachment means 214 attaches a portion of lid 212 to a portion of outer container 210.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, upon applying a directional force F upon inversion means 230, attachment means 214 is released from at least one of lid 212 and outer container 210. As depicted, attachment means 214 is released from outer container 210.

Referring now to FIG. 3C, upon continued application of directional force F upon inversion means 230, inner container 220 is inverted from its position within outer container 210. Upon inversion of inner container 220, its contents are moved to a location outside both outer container 210 and inner container 220.

Referring to FIG. 4, a vest 300 is shown having two storage devices 302,304 located on an outer surface of its left front side. First storage device 302 is located on the left breast of vest 300 and is oriented with its opening facing downward. As depicted, inner container 320 has been inverted to reside substantially outside outer container 310. Inversion means 330 is shown as an elongate member with optional handle 332.

Second storage device 304 is located on the left front of vest 300 at approximately waist level and is oriented in a horizontal direction with its opening facing medially. As depicted, lid 312 covers the opening to outer container 310 and is attached to outer container 310 by attachment means 314. Inversion means 330 is shown as an elongate member with optional handle 332, a portion of elongate member extending beyond an edge of outer container 310.

Although depicted as a vest, any similar article of clothing or carrying means could similarly be used, including a jacket, coat, shirt, pair of pants, backpack, book bag, handbag, shoulder bag, messenger bag, duffle bag, tote bag, or fanny pack. Where storage device is located on an article of clothing or a carrying means, it may be fixedly or non-fixedly attached. Methods of attachment can be any known in the art, including stitching, adhesives, zippers, buttons, snaps, ties, loops, hooks-and-loops, or clips.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, storage device 400 comprises container 420, inversion means 430, and a member 410 having a first side 416, a second side 417, and an aperture 418 therebetween. As such, the illustrative embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B is similar to the embodiments described above, with the exception that member 410 need not be a container. That is, member 410 need not be able to hold container 420. For example, member 410 may be the material comprising the leg of a pair of pants, vest, etc., wherein container 420 resides on one or the other side of the leg material.

Referring to FIG. 5A, container 420 is attached around aperture 418 on second side 417 of member 410. Inversion means 430 is shown as an elongate member attached to a surface of container 420 and extending beyond first side 416 of member 410. Optional handle 432 is shown as a loop formed in inversion means 430. Application of directional force F results in the substantial inversion of container 420, as depicted in FIG. 5B. Once substantially inverted, the portion of container 420 not attached to second side 417 of member 410 resides adjacent to first side 416 of member 410.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. 

1. A storage device comprising: an outer container forming an exterior and an interior; an inner container, having a first portion that is attached to the outer container and a second portion that is disposed on the interior; and an exterior inversion means that allows a user to invert the second portion of the inner container to reside substantially on the exterior.
 2. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the inversion means comprises an elongate member attached to a surface of the inner container.
 3. The storage device of claim 2, further comprising a handle residing at an exterior end of the elongate member.
 4. The storage device of claim 1, further comprising a lid capable of substantially covering an opening in the outer container.
 5. The storage device of claim 4, further comprising an attachment means for attaching a portion of the lid to a portion of the outer container.
 6. The storage device of claim 5, wherein the attachment means is at least one of hooks-and-loops and snaps.
 7. An apparatus comprising: means for carrying the apparatus; a storage means comprising: an outer container forming an exterior and an interior; and an inner container, having a first portion that is attached to the outer container and a second portion that is disposed in the interior; and an exterior inversion means that allows a user to invert the second portion of the inner container to reside substantially outside the outer container.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the inversion means is an elongate member attached to a surface of the inner container.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the storage means further comprises a handle residing at an exterior end of the elongate member.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein an opening in the outer container of the storage means is configured to be oriented horizontally.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein an opening in the outer container of the storage means faces downward.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the storage means is non-fixedly attached to the apparatus.
 13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus is selected from a group consisting of an article of clothing and a carrying apparatus.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the article of clothing is selected from a group consisting of a vest, a jacket, a coat, a shirt, and a pair of pants.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the carrying apparatus is selected from a group consisting of a backpack, a book bag, a handbag, a shoulder bag, a messenger bag, a duffle bag, a tote bag, and a fanny pack.
 16. A storage device comprising: a member having a first side and a second side and an aperture therebetween; a container having a first portion that is attached around the aperture on the first side of the member and a second portion that is unattached to the member; and an inversion means that allows a user from the second side to invert the second portion of the container, moving it from the first side of the member to the second side of the member.
 17. The storage device of claim 16, wherein the inversion means comprises an elongate member attached to a surface of the container.
 18. The storage device of claim 17, further comprising a handle residing at an end of the elongate member opposite its point of attachment to the surface of the container.
 19. The storage device of claim 16, further comprising a lid capable of substantially covering the aperture. 